The Guy Behind the Real Life Goodfellas Heist Was Charged With Arson

Though 82-year-old Vincent Asaro was cleared of his numerous crimes—including murder and extortion—back in 2015, he was arrested on Wednesday for a crime that would make John "Teflon Don" Gotti roll in his grave.

Asaro, who in 2015 was found not guilty of planning the 1978 airport heist that inspired Goodfellas, was indicted once again—but this time, along with Gotti's grandson, 23-year-old John G. Gotti. The reason? Setting fire to the car of someone who cut him off on the streets of Queens, according to The New York Times.

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According to The Times, young Gotti, Asaro, and two other men were charged in the United States District Court in Brooklyn "with arson and arson conspiracy for setting fire to the car" in April 2012. Prosecutors who announced the case with the FBI identified Asaro, pictured above, as "a powerful member of the Bonanno crime family for more than 30 years" who has "served in various leadership positions."

Reportedly, the victim of the arson switched lanes in front of Asaro at a traffic light; Asaro obtained the driver's address and directed a mob associate to set fire to the driver's car.

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